Weight-pulling apparatus



UNTTEE STATES D'. B. BUTLEB, oE BosToN, MASSACHUSETTS.

WEIGHT-PULLING APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 48.05I, dated June 6, 1865.

To @ZZ whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, D. P. BUTLER, of Boston, inthe county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Weight- Pulling Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following, taken in connection with the drawing which accompanies and forms part of this specifica-tion, is a description of my invention suflicient to enable those skilled in the art to practice it.

This invention relates to the construction of weight-pulling apparatus used for physical exercise for hygienic purposes, the general object of the invention being the best adaptation of a single apparatus to the use of persons of various heights, of varied breadths between the shoulders, and of various powers as regards bodily strength.

In the apparatus of a large gymnasium adapted to the general and simultaneous eX- ercise of collective bodies or classes the common practice, as is wel] known, is to have duplicate devices for each particular kind of exercise of such varied form or size and number as to suit the different requirements of the persons using them, this being obviously neccssary in such an establishment.

My purpose is to'so construct the weightpulling apparatus that it may be suitable from its construction and arrangements of parts to be employed by a physician for the office use of patients, and also for a convenient, simple, and compact gymnastic apparatus for family and local use; and the invention may therefore be said to consist in the several. features by which such simplicity and compactness are effected, as set forth in the following description.

The drawing shows a perspective view of the apparatus.

a denotes the bed-piece or platform, upon which are erected two posts, b, and a backboard, c. A pulley, d, is journaled in the top of eachpost b, a strap, e, passing over the same, and having weightsf upon its lower end and a hand-piece, g, at the other end. In front of the board c, against which the back of the person rests, is a series of platforms or stands, l1., so arranged as to be capable of being swung away from or up to the board singly or collectively, according as the height of a-person may require hisI greater or less elevation with reference to the position of the shoulders or back against the board, and the relative position of the pulleys d thereto.

It will be observed from the drawing that there is a second set of pulleys, z', placed side of the pulleys d, and a little nearer together, and the straps are so made that they may be slipped from one set of pulleys to the other for the convenience of different persons. Provision is also made in the straps for lengthening them to suit arms of varied length. The weights f are made in sections, and so as to fit together, for the purpose of adjusting the amount of weight to be lifted and to prevent their displacement as they are raised or lowered. To prevent concussion and noise, the weights descend and rest upon elastic-sun faced pieces 7c, and these pieces are supported upon springs, which tend to lift the weights, and thus prevent the sudden strain otherwise brought upon the muscles by lifting the dead weights.

When a tall person is using the apparatus, a suflicient number of the pieces h are displaced to bring the shoulders to the proper height, and the platforml may be made removable to allow a very tall person to stand upon the floor beneath, if necessary. The whole apparatus may be put together by screws and pins, so as to be readily dissected and packed and as readily set up, thus obtaining a portable and compact apparatus so simple in its arrangement that it may be made and sold as an article of manufacture and having all the advantages otherwise obtainable only at gymnasiurns and like public places which it is undesirable, inconvenient, or impossible to visit.

I claim- A weight-pulling apparatus having a construction and provision for adjustmentv substantially as set forth. y

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of March, A. D. 1865.

D. B'. BUTLER.

Witnesses:

J. B. CROSBY, F. GOULD. 

